IT IS a secret message that will now be heard by millions.

The inspirational words of teenage cancer victim Athena Orchard touched the hearts of people across the world after her parents discovered her innermost thoughts and feelings written on the back of a mirror.

The heartfelt 3,000-word message to her parents and siblings was only found after she lost her battle to an aggressive form of bone cancer, aged just 13.

Now those words are the basis for a poignant song put together by a Southampton song-writing team in the hope of raising thousands of pounds for children’s cancer charities in Athena’s memory.

The song Words on a Mirror has been recorded by Shirley-based songwriters Martin Brisland and Sarah Harrison, who work together under the name Harland.

They were approached by friend Gillian Inkson, from West End, who wrote a poem after reading about the teenager’s tragic death and how the message found by her parents helped them feel closer to their daughter.

The 13-year-old had written down her thoughts about life, love and her tragic situation onto the back of a mirror which stood against a wall in her bedroom.

They included: “Love is rare, life is strange, nothing lasts and people change. Every day is special, so make the most of it, you could get a life ending illness tomorrow so make the most of every day. Life is only bad if you make it bad.”

Martin and Sarah spent just one afternoon converting Gillian’s words into a song, which goes on sale today.

Before it was released Martin, Sarah and Gillian made an emotional trip to Leicester to play the song to Athena’s family who gave it their blessing.

Martin said: “It was one of the most heart-touching moments I have ever been through.

“We were very conscious that we didn’t want to cause them any more upset but while we knew the song could never bring their daughter back, we hope that it will raise money to help other young people fighting the disease.

“Her parents said the song captured the spirit of their daughter: gritty and tough. We didn’t want it to be too sentimental and they felt that summed up Athena because she was a tomboy.”

Athena’s mum Caroline, 38, said: “It’s lovely. “It’s so nice hearing what she wrote in a song, it made me cry when I heard it for the first time – but not with sadness, with happiness. It’s keeping her memory alive and having this is like having Athena but in the form of a song.

“I feel humbled and privileged, she’s still making me so proud.”

A total of 80 per cent of the money raised by people downloading the song will be donated to charities including the Teenager Cancer Trust and CLIC Sargent.